The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Sapphire Cipria Pink Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. In 1...
Murano Glass
Nomon Colgante Marble Wall Clock - Modern Brass & Marble Design
By Nomon
Located in New York, NY
The sophistication of the marble suspended from the curved metal rod finished in brass or black, makes the Colgante Marble wall clock a jewel. Case: black or brass finish metal. Di...
Marble, Brass
Gucci Wood + Chrome Clock, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
This 1970s Gucci desk clock showcases the brand’s signature equestrian influence. The design pairs warm-toned wood with polished chrome accents, featuring bridle bit motifs—a nod to ...
Chrome
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Red Straw Yellow Murano Glass
By Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. In 1...
Murano Glass
Candino Ladies Wristwatch Case in 18-carat and Watchstrap in 14-carat
By Candino
Located in Lejre, DK
This elegant Candino ladies' watch is a fine example of Swiss craftsmanship, featuring a case made from 18-carat gold and a watchstrap crafted from 14-carat gold. The combination of ...
Gold
$1,540 / item
Nomon Look Wall Clock By Andres Martinez
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large luxury wall clock that imitates an eye. An artisan clock with a black fiber hoop with a central case and walnut needles. The Nomon Look ...
Brass
Column Clock by Papier Langackerhäusl
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Column clock W255 D255 H1750 mm Standing tall and confident, our column clock elegantly refines the passing of time. With its clean lines and gently swaying pendulum, it reassures even the most anxious observer, that time will go on. Battery-operated Junghans quartz...
Parchment Paper
Nomon Micro Eslabon Wall Clock By Andres Martinez
Located in Brooklyn, NY
CLOCKS WITH GREAT PERSONALITY AND A CONTEMPORARY DESIGN, REINTERPRETING THE CLASSIC PENDULUM CLOCK. Available in Walnut and Oak
Brass
Shou Sugi Ban Charred Grandfather Clock from New York City Water Tower Wood
By Stefan Rurak
Located in Biddeford, ME
A sleek modern take on the grandfather clock. This piece is made from historic decommissioned NYC water tower wood. The wood is torched in the Shou Su...
Aluminum, Steel
Established & Sons FONT CLOCK Medium Wall-mounted clock by Sebastian Wrong
By Established & Sons, Sebastian Wrong
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An instant design icon, Sebastian Wrong’s Font Clock features an ever-changing display that uses twelve different type faces and a flip mechanism in a design that is both nostalgic a...
Plastic
$8,039 / item
Protopunk Clock 01
By Kiki & Joost, Joost van Bleiswijk
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Protopunk is a collection of furniture and objects designed by Joost Van Bleiswijk. Each piece is handmade with thick cuts of steel roughly cut with a torch, welded together and then...
Cut Steel
$1,980 / item
Floating Frames Mantel Clock Brass and Sandblasted
By Kiki van Eijk, Kiki & Joost
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Kiki van Eijk designed floating frames as a collection of handmade objects in anodized aluminum wire. Each piece is meticulously handmade in her workshop; no two items are alike. ...
Brass
$1,910 / item
Floating Frames Mantel clock Brass
By Kiki van Eijk, Kiki & Joost
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Kiki van Eijk designed Floating Frames as a collection of handmade objects in anodized aluminium wire. Each piece is meticulously handmade in her workshop; no two items are alike. ...
Brass
$1,957 / item
Floating Frames Mantel clock Copper Nickel-Plated
By Kiki van Eijk, Kiki & Joost
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Kiki van Eijk designed Floating Frames as a collection of handmade objects in anodized aluminium wire. Each piece is meticulously handmade in her workshop; no two items are alike. ...
Nickel
$1,980 / item
Floating Frames Mantel clock Copper Sand Blasted
By Kiki van Eijk, Kiki & Joost
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Kiki van Eijk designed Floating Frames as a collection of handmade objects in anodized aluminium wire. Each piece is meticulously handmade in her workshop; no two items are alike. Sh...
Copper
$1,815 / item
Nomon Colgante Wall Clock By Andres Martinez
Located in Brooklyn, NY
ø30cm and length of 79cm clock. Metal curved rod in brass or black finish, and hands made of walnut and polished brass or painted black. Installation to wall or ceiling. Availab...
Brass
Established & Sons Medium Font Clock by Sebastian Wrong
By Established & Sons, Sebastian Wrong
Located in London, GB
The iconic calendar clock, with its distinctive form and flip mechanism, has an established following in design circles. Sebastian Wrong deliberately increases our attraction to its retro look by introducing an ever-changing display. The Font Clock...
Plastic
Micro Eslabón Wall Clock by Nomon, Graphite Brass & Walnut Design
By Nomon
Located in New York, NY
The Micro Eslabón wall clock has been made with a graphite finish brass ring and a walnut or oak case. Micro Eslabón wall clock :Ring and hour hand in polished brass or in graphite ...
Brass
Venini Clessidra Hourglass in Sapphire Cipria Pink Murano Glass
By Fulvio Bianconi, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clessidra hourglass in amber murano glass by Paolo Venini and Fulvio Bianconi. Little grains of sand, impalpable and unnoticeable as a whole yet so real, like time ticking away. In 1...
Murano Glass
Plexiglass Table Clock, 1970s Design.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Plexiglass table clock, 1970s design. 1970s table clock, contemporary design, plexiglass. Dimensions : H: 35cm. W: 25cm, D: 13cm Contact us before order...
Plexiglass
Italian modern Black metal Floor clock with eye-shape mirror by Alias, 1990s
By Alias
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Black metal and plastic Floor clock with eye-shape mirror by Alias, 1990s Floor clock with rear-view mirror in metal and plastic. The structure of the clock is eye-sha...
Metal
21st Century by D.Palterer Marble and Metal Clock in Nero Marquina White Carrara
Located in massa, IT
Marble clock designed by Arch. David Palterer. Size: cm. 9 x 5 x 25 H. Materials: Bianco Carrara - Nero Maequina Designed by: David Palterer.
Marble
1970s Ritz Italora Original Table Clock by Joe Colombo Optic Art
By Joe Colombo
Located in Biella, IT
Ritz Italora rare original table clock first edit by Joe Colombo design years 1970 optic art. Materialis plastic and metal particular and mecanism. ...
Plastic
Tempus Obsidian: Illuminating Wall Watch
By Ben Rousseau
Located in Timisoara, RO
Tempus: Timepiece The Tempus Is Not Merely A Timekeeping Device; It Is A Kinetic Art Piece. The Darkened Reflections Of Its Surroundings In The Obsidian Create A Dynamic Interplay O...
Brass
21st Century by Elda Lippi "OROLOGIO 6" Marble Clock
Located in massa, IT
Marble clock designed by Arch. Elda Lippi Size: cm. 12 x 12 x 6 H. Materials: Bianco Carrara - Nero Marquina - Pietra serena - Pietra dorata.
Marble
Tempus - Emperor : Illuminating Watch
By Ben Rousseau
Located in Timisoara, RO
Tempus: Emperor "Tempus - Emperor" By Ben Rousseau Is A Masterful Blend Of Contemporary Design And Functional Art, Drawing Inspiration From The Timeless ...
Brass
21st Century by D. Palterer Marble and Metal Clock in Rosso Francia e Verde Alpi
Located in massa, IT
Marble clock designed by Arch. David Palterer. Size: cm. 10.5 x 6 x 26 H. Materials: Rosso Francia / Verde Alpi Designed by: David Palterer.
Marble